Give A Book Today!

Give Children the Future-Give the Gift of Reading

Saturday morning we were treated to a very special and all important message-that of children's literacy and the need for books in this country. We live in one of the richest countries in the world, but more often than not, children do not have access to books. Even more important, fewer and fewer children are being read to, or see their parents reading. Every educator including myself will tell you that YOU are your child's first and foremost teacher.  Teachers can and do make an impact, but the real change and the things that change a child's life forever come from you. Enter Disney Junior's "Give A Book, Get A Book" Program.

DISNEY JUNIOR'S GIVE A BOOK, GET A BOOK TO DONATE UP TO ONE MILLION BOOKS TO U.S. COMMUNITIES IN NEED

Photo Credit Josh Hallett

LeVar Burton, David Arquette, Tim Gunn and Ariel Winter Help Unveil Nationwide Program During the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration at Disneyland Resort

Disney and First Book will provide for the donation of up to one million books to U.S. communities in need and will present families with free digital books from Disney Publishing Worldwide, through a new program announced today, Disney Junior's Give a Book, Get a Book. Storytelling is the foundation of the initiative designed to inspire parents and caregivers to spend time each day sharing stories that help develop the critical thinking, vocabulary and language skills a preschooler needs. The program includes a redemption code offering a free Disney Digital book and a way for families to experience giving back by donating books to the community of their choice. Disney Junior’s Give a Book, Get a Book, also includes public service announcements, free storytime events at Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Disney Store locations, and interactive Radio Disney events.

The program was announced today by Nancy Kanter, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide and First Book Board Member, Dr. Martha Bernadett during the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration at the Disneyland Resort.

Ms. Kanter said, "With each and every one of our Disney Junior series, we let a child experience the magic and learning that comes with a story well told, and deepen the emotional connection and sense of wonder and adventure that have defined storytelling at the Disney company for generations." She continued, "The Give a Book, Get a Book program is a way for families to share stories and enter the world of giving in a simple yet effective way."

Photo Credit Josh Hallett

Coinciding with the program announcement today, lifelong children's literacy advocate LeVar Burton, Cofounder and Curator-in-Chief of the award-winning Reading Rainbow app, spoke about the importance of building literacy and of storytelling in the digital age. Disney Junior stars Ariel Winter and Tim Gunn (of "Sofia the First") and David Arquette (of "Jake and the Never Land Pirates") also participated in a storybook reading for event attendees and their families. Genevieve Goings (of Disney Junior's "Choo Choo Soul"), who hosts the Give a Book, Get a Book public service announcements on Disney Channel, emceed the event."There are few things more powerful than stories to connect children to the world and help them imagine what they can become," said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book. "Yet, books and stories are in short supply for kids in need. That's why we're proud to be joining forces with our friends at Disney to put brand new books into the hands of children who so desperately need them."

"Through the donation of 30 million books over the last 15 years, Disney Publishing Worldwide's collaboration with First Book has brought the magic of reading and storytelling to millions of children, unleashing their imaginations and opening their worlds," said Andrew B. Sugerman, Executive Vice President, Disney Publishing Worldwide. "We're thrilled to expand this program with Disney Junior's Give a Book, Get a Book."

Families can now take advantage of an all-new website, GiveaBookGetaBook.com, featuring tools and resources for parents and caregivers that promote the value of storytelling and offer interactive activities. Beginning April 21 in Disney Store locations and later this summer at other nationwide retailers, there are two ways to Give a Book, Get a Book. For a limited time, with the purchase of any specially-marked Disney Junior book or product, receipts or packaging will include a redemption code allowing kids and families to direct the donation of a book to First Book in the region of their choice and to access a free Disney Digital Book to share as a family. Additionally, Give a Book, Get a Book bookmarks with redemption codes will be distributed to visitors at participating public libraries and Radio Disney events throughout the summer. With the help of families across the United States, Disney and First Book will donate up to one million books through this program.

Also starting April 21, Disney Store locations will provide an enhanced interactive "Storytime Powered by Give a Book, Get a Book" featuring two new stories from Disney Junior favorites, "Sofia the First" and "Jake and the Never Land Pirates." In addition to the in-store readings, Disney Store locations will host special storytime events at Boys & Girls Clubs of America in multiple markets across the U.S. Children at these events will be given a free book along with a redemption code bookmark.

Disney Junior Disney Junior reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and contemporary. It invites mom and dad to join their child in the Disney experience of magical, musical and heartfelt stories and characters, while incorporating specific learning and development themes designed for kids age 2-7. Disney Junior's series blend Disney's unparalleled storytelling and characters kids love deeply with learning, including early math, language skills, healthy eating and lifestyles, and social skills. In the U.S., Disney Junior is a daily programming block on Disney Channel and a 24-hour channel. There are 34 Disney Junior channels in 25 languages around the world.

Disney Publishing Worldwide Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world's largest publisher of children's books and magazines with over 700 million products sold each year. DPW consists of an extensive worldwide licensing structure as well as vertically integrated publishing imprints, including Disney Book Group in the U.S. and Disney Libri in Italy. DPW publishes a range of children's magazines globally, as well as Disney kids magazines in the U.S. Disney English is DPW's English language learning business, which includes Disney English learning centers in China and a worldwide retail- licensing program. DPW's digital products include bestselling eBook titles as well as original apps. Headquartered in Glendale, California, DPW publishes books, magazines,

and digital products in 85 countries in 75 languages. For more information visit

www.disneypublishing.com.

Reading opens the world to a child-what will you do to bring that world to the life of a child?  Give the gift of reading to a child and open up the future.

Gayle is a lifelong educator by day and avid blogger by night and is the owner and cofounder of the Disney Gals, one of the most popular Disney blogs around! Proud mommy to 5, Grammy to 4 she is blessed to share her life with amazing family and friends who encourage her to chase her dreams no matter where they may lead.  When not in the classroom, she can be found following her son as he dances his way through life, or working with young performers in free nationally recognized after school children’s theater program that she founded 13 years ago. On any given day you will find Gayle skipping her way through life with a giggle and a smile knowing that today is meant to be lived and enjoyed. To learn more about Gayle, click here.